Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Alston

    4.0 (90 reviews)
    Closed 4:30 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 1 week ago

    The Alston Photos

    Business Info

    THE ALSTON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Romantic
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The Alston

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Maddi W.

    Unbelievable good and experience! I also want to recognize, Mitch, our server for the evening! He made the whole dining experience unforgettable! I hope The Alston recognizes him for going above and beyond! Everything we ate was perfect? The cocktails were delicious! We had steaks (of course!) and appetizers and sides. The corn and potatoes were delicious. We topped the meal off with the basque cheesecake. The Alston itself was stunning! The Alston will continue to be on our list when we come to Chicago.

    Asparagus
    Krajicek K.

    Service was attentive. The waiter would check on us often. We went for an early dinner on a Sunday so the dining area was quite empty until 6PM. It didn't look like reservations were a must. The food overall ambiance was quite dark in the hallway. People had trouble finding the restroom. I liked the 16oz Rosewood Ranch Wagyu NY strip which was a little crisp and deep brown on the outside. The rest of the food and drinks were good as well.

    Beatrice A.

    Great food, good service. We told our waitress we were celebrating our Anniversary. Although acknowledged verbally, we weren't given any Anniversary treat like a dessert or anything. Ambiance is elegant, moody, and dark in the evening. Mesmerizing ceilings.

    Filet
    Lauren G.

    My husband and I had a really nice dinner at The Alston. We decided to sit at the bar as we sometimes find the service to be faster as we have small children at home. Our bartender was attentive and our service overall was perfect. The restaurant is dark, romantic and moody which I loved. Everything was clean and well maintained. The food was overall good, but I wouldn't say "Great". We each got a filet and it was cooked the perfect medium rare that we asked for. The tuna crudo was a fantastic appetizer and our favorite bite of the night. It does pack a little heat at first which we weren't expecting but it was super flavorful and fresh. We also split the truffle baked potato and the creamed spinach which were both just OK in my opinion. When I go to a steakhouse, usually the sides are the stars of the meal and these were not bad but also nothing exciting to either of us. The truffle potato lacked a bit of flavor which surprised us and the creamed spinach also could have used a little extra something. I will also mention that as a staunch researcher of menus before I eat anywhere, the menu online is very outdated compared to what was presented to us in the restaurant. There were a lot of items I wanted to get that weren't being offered anymore. Overall, it is a very nice restaurant but for the cost I couldn't say it's my favorite.

    NY strip
    Justin P.

    I came to the Alston for Father's Day, and was blown away by the experience. First off - the space is immaculate. It's a great mix of booths and tables; super high ceilings and lots of space (so you don't feel like you're sitting on top of people.) I had ribeye skewers (starter) and the NY strip for the main course. The skewer was excellent; the steak wasn't bad but candidly I've had beer NY strip in the city. All the sides (mashed potatoes and brussels) were legit. My daughter tried their cheeseburger but she likes her burgers plain (so she didn't get all the cool stuff that comes on it.) I'll reserve judgement until I try the burger as it was meant to be served. For dessert I had the apple dish and it was solid. I only tried one drink, but it was solid. Next time I go, I'll try that burger or one of their seafood options. I definitely recommend this place.

    Rhonda F.

    The Alston offers a beautiful dining experience. The staff were gracious and welcoming. The management team were exceptionally gracious. The rooms are gorgeous. Dark and cozy even though the space is grand. I loved the walk-in wine room. I attended an event that was executed perfectly. The seafood tower and the caviar ice cream cones were stand outs. I plan on returning for dinner very soon.

    Nerissa L.

    I came here for an early dinner the other day. As we entered we noticed the place was basically empty. Appeared to be more staff present than actual people dining there. The ambiance is gorgeous and the service was really great. The food in my opinion was not amazing. As a matter of fact the rolls were my favorite part of my meal. I wanted to love the lobster bisque but it had a weird aftertaste. The crab cakes were only ok. I would not order them again. Although the restaurant is very nice, I am not rushing to dine here again.

    Sean Y.

    One of my favorite new restaurants I've tried this year. The Alston is one of the newer additions to the an already strong Chicago steakhouse scene. I was very impressed by the interior decor and food. In terms of vibes, I'd say it sits between RPM (classic, formal) and Maple (flashy, sceney). The prices are also comparable between the three, with the large format steaks between 200-300$. Dry age, wagyu, truffle, caviar, they cover all the bases on the menu. The apps here are all also 20$+, definitely paying a premium to dine here. They do run small, so order extra! The bone marrow pasty was unique and a standout to us. The wine and drinks were great as well. The service while strong leans towards casual. I think it comes down to preference. They're still professional and friendly. Definitely a must-try if you've been looking for something new! I'll personally be returning.

    Dining room area with almost floor to ceiling windows and small table spaces.
    Sue L.

    Located near State and Chicago, this brand new seven month restaurant is well decorated with intimate and large tables. The gilded room is for large parties. The wood work, soft lighting, floor to ceiling windows, and chandeliers add elegance to the dining room areas. I ordered the Chicag Restaurant Week dinner special. I upgraded $20 for the steak. The wait staff were friendly and attentive and knew the menu well.

    Mushrooms
    Eris T.

    A Stunning Setting That Struggled to Deliver I so wanted to absolutely love this place. We dined at Alston with a party of four for a 5:30 PM dinner reservation. We were seated right on time, and from the moment we walked in, everything looked like a five-star experience. The attention to detail--from the floors to the ceiling, the elegant décor, the lighting, even the restrooms and personalized candles--was truly stunning. Visually, Alston delivers luxury in every sense. But unfortunately, the beauty didn't quite extend to the full dining experience. Let's start with the food. While some dishes shined--the New York strip was cooked to perfection and the potatoes au gratin, though extremely salty, were rich and flavorful--many others fell flat. In fact, several dishes were overly salted, to the point that it masked the ingredients and dulled the overall flavor. The lobster bisque which we all got was one of these dishes. Although very nicely presented and served it was overly salted and very curry forward. The mushroom side was underwhelming, and the Caesar salad was especially disappointing. Instead of a shareable plate, it was literally an intact head of lettuce--not exactly practical for a table of four hoping to enjoy a classic dish. The service also left much to be desired. While it started out promising, things took a noticeable turn as the restaurant got busier. Our server missed two of the appetizer dishes we ordered, and while we initially thought he was pacing them with the meal, it became clear he simply forgot. We didn't see him for a full 25 minutes, and it was the manager who ended up checking in with us. To top it off, we were charged for one of the missing appetizers on the final bill. The manager did take care of our check and adjuster bill accordingly. That was greatly appreciated. Two highlights - a complimentary bread service, and complementary beverage when you first sit down at the table; which were a thoughtful and tasty touch. To be fair, Alston is still relatively new, and some bumps are to be expected. But with the elevated price point and luxury aesthetic, expectations are understandably high--and unfortunately, they weren't fully met. It's a gorgeous space with potential, but the experience needs to catch up to the surroundings.

    Caviar bumps
    Sarah L.

    The Alston - truly exceeded my expectations for service, food, and ambience. Servers/chef were super accommodating to our dietary restrictions and were very knowledgeable about the menu. We were started with complementary bread and champagne (and ended the meal with another!) Staff was super attentive and checked in frequently. Overall food was really great, I especially loved the steak burger! I also liked that you can get caviar bumps instead of committing to a full ounce or more, and I enjoyed it with the rye bread. I wasn't a fan of the "Caesar" salad which was just a head of lettuce with whole anchovies laid over. It had a vinaigrette dressing instead of a traditional Caesar dressing but our server did mention this beforehand. Everything else was great and I'd definitely come back!

    Brandy S.

    If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Chicago, look no further than The Alston. From the moment you step inside, the interior immediately sets the tone--elegant, moody, and effortlessly sophisticated. The service? Impeccable. The wait staff was knowledgeable, attentive without being overbearing. The Bar Manager even took time to get us a tour of the Members only section. It was so elegant and luxurious. We started with a caviar bump, followed by escargot, which both were perfection. The Baked Scallop Saint Jacques was a rich, velvety delight--beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. For mains, the Filet Mignon was cooked flawlessly. The Boeuf Pithivier--a flaky, golden pastry filled with tender, flavorful beef--was an absolute standout, both in taste and presentation. On the side, the wood-fired asparagus added a lovely smoky char that complemented both mains. From start to finish, The Alston delivered an exceptional evening and you should definitely add it to your list! Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Atmosphere: 5/5

    Bread service
    Eda X.

    The Alston serves a steakhouse grade burger right! From the high quality beef patty, firm brioche bun, shoestring truffle fries to a very flavorful sweet onion, I truly believe they have knocked it off the charts. The waiters here are amazing--extremely attentive to filling your water glasses. You will certainly leave well hydrated. Beautiful steakhouse. Amazing service and trendy instrumental music.

    See all

    17 hours ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 days ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    14 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    20 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rhonda F.
    1502
    1198
    11998

    25 days ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 3
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Yan M.
    1
    19
    29

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Eda X.
    350
    767
    7512

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rie U.
    233
    423
    1213

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 4
    Love this 3
    Oh no 4

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andrew G.
    0
    73
    153

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 3

    1 year ago

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 4
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Monica B.
    181
    6
    44

    9 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - The Alston

    Is it preteen-age kid friendly?

    Don’t think kids would appreciate such a fine dining experience unless they are used to upscale restaurants

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Ahi Tuna Tartare*

    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

    4.4(3.3k reviews)
    0.3 miNear North Side
    $$$$

    Crazy on a Monday night at 630 pm the place was packed!!…read more Classic Chicago steakhouse. It's lively and fun & the food is great! So is the service, excellent without being overbearing. We had a big party and most orders were a bit different. Everyone lived the apps, drinks and their dishes! Everyone was too stuffed to have desert. I had a perfectly cooked strip steak. It was delicious and the flavor was great! Shared a baked potato and the wonderful Mac & cheese. Mrs A liked it better than Swift and Sons - but that is still #1 for me - although it's in the west loop and not walkable if staying on MI Ave. Don't like the 3.5% for "rising" costs...seems like that has been around since COvID. I always catch it after I pay the bill...

    Joe's Seafood in Chicago has an unusual amount of personal history for me. It opened as a…read morepartnership between Miami Beach's iconic Joe's Stone Crab and Lettuce Entertain You, bringing South Florida to Grand and Rush. I first went when it was still a huge, buzzy Chicago spot, and one of my most memorable dinners came after my high school graduation in 2003. I even got a speeding ticket on Lake Shore Drive with my grandmother in the back seat on the way to dinner, which still makes me laugh. Chicago was an especially fun place for Joe's to arrive. Open outcry trading was still a force, and the wealth creation around it was wild: people who had dropped out of high school could become millionaires in their twenties, while math PhDs from the University of Chicago could make fortunes in the same ecosystem. It was a golden era for hustle culture, when commerce idolized Tony Montana in a way that today is more likely to idolize Jamie Dimon or David Solomon. Death Row and Bad Boy ruled the airwaves, while Michael, Shaq, Kobe, and Allen Iverson defined the NBA. Basketball was so dominant in Chicago culture during my coming of age that I still map other things, including restaurants, to NBA teams. Joe's felt like the Miami Heat coming to Chicago in much the same way Smith & Wollensky represented the New York Knicks: each brought a recognizable piece of its hometown culture into another major city. Joe's brought real South Florida sizzle to Chicago, and it landed at exactly the right moment. Going there felt like an occasion. Florida took longer for me to understand in full. My family has roots in the state going back decades, farther north along the Atlantic coast, and I didn't visit Miami until March 2007, when my sister started graduate school in Coral Gables. That trip began my love affair with Miami and helped me understand why the original Joe's was such an institution. A close family friend's father spent time around Miami in the 1960s and 1970s. He knew local fishermen who caught stone crabs, which gave me an appreciation for the older South Florida culture around the food, separate from Joe's own history. Another Joe's memory captures an entirely different moment. Looking through my OpenTable history, my July 31, 2008 reservation at Joe's in Chicago is the earliest reservation I can find at a restaurant that is still open today. I was 23, working at UBS, preparing to move to New York while the firm was already on fire from its mortgage losses, and Lehman would file for bankruptcy just weeks later. I was broke but wildly aspirational, dreaming about dinners at Balthazar, begging my way past the doors at Cain and Tenjune, hoping to drink for free, and trying to meet women comically far out of my league. Through all of those memories, the restaurant itself has been remarkably consistent. The stone crab claws are incredible, the seafood is excellent, and Joe's holds its own among Chicago's serious steakhouses. The room has traditionally felt a little more formal than Miami, with bow ties, polished service, and a darker old-school steakhouse rhythm, while still being genuinely welcoming. Finish with the key lime pie. Years later, my wife and I held our wedding reception at RPM Seafood, another Lettuce restaurant, then ate at the original Joe's during our honeymoon in Miami during COVID days later, which felt like a fitting circle back. In sheer range of venues, repeatability of quality and atmosphere, and consistency of hits, Lettuce is the gold standard in Chicago, with some of that same reach in Vegas and DC. I've been extraordinarily privileged in my exposure to hospitality, and I still repeatedly admire Rich Melman's model, taste, and execution, now carried forward by the next generation of the family. Joe's is a prime example: world-class, durable, unmistakably Chicago, and absolutely somewhere I want to return next time I'm in town with some dough to spend. While Joe's may not be French, this place still earns my highest marks: très bien!

    Photos
    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - The dining room

    The dining room

    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Creamed Corn

    Creamed Corn

    Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Beef Tenderloin Slider

    See all

    Beef Tenderloin Slider

    Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House

    Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House

    4.1(1.3k reviews)
    0.3 miNear North Side
    $$$$

    Hubs discovered that Hugo's has a Happy Hour on SUNDAYS, from 3pm-6pm! So after I finished my last…read moreworkshop on Sunday afternoon, we met here with about 15 minutes to spare. Available only in the bar area, we were able to find a table for two inside by the windows, in spite of it being very packed. Our server was quick to approach our table, even though hubs had wandered over to the bar to order. After I summoned him back, we ordered a couple of Stellas, a Filet Slider and Baked Goat Cheese; each item was $5 on the HH menu. A few minutes later, Hubs waved over our server again to order 4 oysters, which were BOGO during HH. Upon her suggestion, he chose the smaller East Coast oysters. He told me they were really good and he was happy with his choice. I had two good bites of the filet slider & was delighted at how delicious it was. The piece of meat was quite large, especially for $5! Thick & juicy, it was cooked perfectly medium rare. The slider was plated with lots of crispy string fries that were very tasty. Our other app, the baked goat cheese, was served atop a skillet of tomato sauce with four pieces of toasted bread. This was also a delicious plate. Service was very on-point, and we never felt rushed, even after Happy Hour ended. At some point, the pianist arrived & we enjoyed a rousing selection of yacht rock tunes as we finished our beers. My favorite piece of ambiance was the steampunk-powered ceiling fans, even though they probably did very little to circulate the air. The decor was vintage travel, which I loved! I'll definitely return to Hugo's again, at least for Happy Hour, the next time I'm in Chicago's Gold Coast area.

    First of all, the Sea Bass was absolutely amazing !…read more We sat on the small patio, which was perfect. Not too hectic outside, great warmth, great ambiance. Our waiter was direct and too the point - very helpful, checked in on us just the right number of times, had some great suggestions and alterations. We will definitely be coming back. Just as a heads up, the inside seating area was a zoo! very bustling, extremely full. I wouldn't say it was a negative at all, just a complete 180 from the peaceful, one row of tables patio out front.

    Photos
    Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House
    Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House - Bookbinders soup!

    Bookbinders soup!

    Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House - Lump crab mac and cheese

    See all

    Lump crab mac and cheese

    RPM Seafood - simply grilled branzino, fire-kissed tomatoes, amalfi salt

    RPM Seafood

    4.0(713 reviews)
    0.6 miNear North Side
    $$$$

    We came like 5 minute before our reservation but wasn't seated until almost 8:20 and our…read morereservation was at 8:00pm. The ambiance inside was so nice and it was busy especially on a Wednesday night. Our waiter was great but really busy during this time. We left before we could even get a menu for desserts. We got the charcoal grilled branzino which was really good and the whole lobster. The Caesar salad was good as well but wished they would cut it up instead. I got a drink which I asked waiter if it was sweeter than other one and he said yes but it was really tangy but refreshing. Because it was a graduation celebration, I really wished the experience had felt a bit more special. After finishing our main courses, we waited a long time for a dessert menu to order a sweet treat to mark the occasion. Eventually, it took so long that we just decided to leave before we could even get one. Great atmosphere and good food, but the long wait times at the door and between courses made the night feel a bit rushed at the end.

    RPM Seafood is definitely on the pricey side, but for a special occasion or a memorable night out,…read moreit's absolutely worth the splurge. The beautiful location right on the Chicago River, elegant atmosphere, outstanding service, and exceptional food all come together to make it a truly special dining experience. We started with the mini seafood tower, which was beautifully presented and loaded with fresh oysters, lobster, crab, shrimp, and other delicious seafood. The spicy spaghetti was packed with flavor, and the branzino was perfectly cooked with crispy skin and a delicious herb sauce. Dessert was the perfect finale--the Banana Stacked Neapolitan was incredible, with layers of crispy pastry, creamy filling, bananas, and rich caramel sauce. It was indulgent and absolutely delicious. Yes, it's expensive, and you definitely know you're paying for a premium dining experience. But when you factor in the quality of the food, presentation, service, and spectacular riverfront setting, it felt worth every penny. A wonderful choice for a celebration, date night, or simply when you want to treat yourself.

    Photos
    RPM Seafood - Interior

    Interior

    RPM Seafood - Strawberry sorbet, lemon zest

    Strawberry sorbet, lemon zest

    RPM Seafood - Pinot gris

    See all

    Pinot gris

    The Alston - steak - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...